Solihull planners have given the green light to a plan to demolish a 1950s barn for new homes. 

The plan to create two semi-detached homes on land at Heron Bank Farm in Spencer Lane, Berkswell, was lodged with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council last November.

In a planning statement, agents for the applicant – identified only as a Mr Hicken – said: "The proposal is a full planning application for the demolition of the existing barn and the erection of two dwelling houses with associated car parking and garden space.  

"The new dwellings are proposed as a pair of semi-detached, single storey properties. 

"The replacement building is located over the footprint of the existing barn but with a smaller built area to allow for the provision of a useable outside amenity space for each property. 

"The architectural design of the new dwellings has purposefully been chosen to retain the agricultural character of the site and to complement the residential conversion scheme established for the five neighbouring poultry barns.  

"The building is one of several agricultural buildings at the farm complex constructed within the period of circa 1958 to 1963. 

"The farm buildings were primarily in use for poultry operations up to circa 1985, with the application building generally used for the rearing of chicks and or keeping of turkeys. 

"Following cessation of poultry operations, the majority of buildings were utilised for mushroom production which operated from circa 1988 to 1998. 

"The application building has been vacant but for some general agricultural storage."

In a report council officers, who recommended the plan be approved, said: "It is considered the benefits of the scheme are sufficient to clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt, so as to constitute the very special circumstances necessary to justify the grant of planning permission. 

"As part of the current proposal, there would be a reduction in the volume of built development on site, which will have a beneficial impact upon the openness of the green belt."

In a notice published on February 24, Mark Andrews, the authority's head of planning, design and engagement services, granted permission for the homes subject to conditions.